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Parallel Learning & Action Research

The stages of Action Research are input/planning, action/transformation, and output/results. Data is gathered and fed back into the system to evaluate changes from adjusting variables and plan next steps. It was used in the ECC construction group of Larsen & Tou

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akhilesh04
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58 views

Parallel Learning & Action Research

The stages of Action Research are input/planning, action/transformation, and output/results. Data is gathered and fed back into the system to evaluate changes from adjusting variables and plan next steps. It was used in the ECC construction group of Larsen & Tou

Uploaded by

akhilesh04
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PARALLEL LEARNING

STRUCTURE
&
ACTION RESEARCH
WHAT IS IT?

Parallel Learning Structures (also known as


Communities of Practice) promote innovation
and change in large bureaucratic organizations
while retaining the advantages of bureaucratic
design. Groups representing various levels and
functions work to open new channels of
communication outside of and parallel to the
normal, hierarchical structure.
Continued…….

Parallel Learning Structures may be a form of


Knowledge Management. Knowledge
Management involves capturing the
organization's collective expertise wherever it
resides (in databases, on paper, or in people's
heads) and distributing it to the people who
need it in a timely and efficient way.
WHEN TO USE IT?

• To develop and implement organization-wide


innovations.
• To foster innovation and creativity within a
bureaucratic system.
• To support the exchange of knowledge and
expertise among performers.
• To capture the organization's collective
expertise.
HOW TO USE IT?
• Look for existing, informal exchanges that
naturally occur among staff members.
• Have interested parties convene and develop a
mission statement or list the outcomes.
• Determine what support (e.g., time, facilities, and
technology) would facilitate the information
exchange and learning.
• Publicize when and where the exchanges take
place.
• Establish a process for organizing and recording
the corporate knowledge.
Eg. Xerox Corporation.

Xerox found that its technical representatives


(tech reps) often made it a point to spend time
not with customers but with each other. The
tech reps would gather in common areas (the
local parts warehouse or coffee pot) and swap
stories from the field. Rather than trying to
discourage this practice to improve
productivity, Xerox decided to formalize the
knowledge exchange.
Action Research:
It is the process of systematically collecting
process data about an ongoing relative to
some objective , goal ,or needed of that
system .
Feeding these data then back into the system;
taking actions by altering selected variables
within the system based both on the data and
on the hypothesis.
And evaluating the results of actions by
collecting more data.
• Action Research can be broadly defined as a
reflective process of progressive problem
solving led by individuals working with others
in teams or as part of a “community if
practice” to improve the way they address
issues and solve problems.
STAGES OF ACTION RESEARCH

1.The Input phase. The client system becomes


aware of problems as yet unidentified, realizes it
may need outside help to effect changes
shares with the change agent (consultant) the
process of problem diagnosis. What follows is a
series of planning actions initiated by the client
and the consultant working together. The
principal elements of this stage include a
preliminary diagnosis, data gathering, feedback
of results, and joint action planning.
2.The Action or Transformation phase. This stage
includes actions relating to learning processes
(perhaps in the form of role analysis) and to
planning and executing behavioural changes in
the client organization. Feedback at this stage
would have the effect of altering previous
planning to bring the learning activities of the
client system into better alignment with change
objectives. This stage also includes action-
planning activity collectively carried out by the
consultant and members of the carried out on
the job as part of the transformation stage .
3.The Output or Results phase. This stage includes
actual changes in behaviour (if any) resulting
from corrective action steps taken following the
second stage. Data are again gathered from the
client system so that progress can be determined
and necessary adjustments in learning activities
can be made. Minor adjustments of this nature
can be made in learning activities via feedback.
Major adjustments and revaluations would
return the OD project to the first, or planning,
stage for basic changes in the program.The action
stage is a period of changing that is, trying out
new forms of behaviour in an effort to
understand and cope with the system's
problems.
ACTION RESEARCH MODEL FOR OD

Key executive perception


Action (new
of problems
behaviours)
Data gathering
Consultation with behavioural (reassessment of
scientist consultant state of system)
Action planning
Data gathering and (determine objectives
diagnosis by and how to get there)
Feedback
consultant
Discussion and work on
data feedback and data
Further data gathering Discussion and work
by client group
on feedback and
Feedback to key client emerging data
or client group Feedback to
client group
Action planning
Joint action planning
(objectives of OD Data gathering
programme and means Action
of attaining goals, eg
team building Etc
Shepards Concept of
Action Research Model
CASE STUDY
In the Indian scenario,the action research model has been
used since long to carry out research in the exsisting system
and then develop interventions to improve efficiacy of the
system in the organisation.

The ECC construction group of Larsen &Toubro.This group is


one of the largest construction organisation in India rendering
comprehensive engineering services in civil,mechanical and
electrical fields within the country and abroad.The company
was incorporated in1944 in the name of Engineering
Constructed Corporation Limited,a wholly owned subsidiary
of L&T limited.
From a modest beginning , the company had a gradual and
consistent growth. The company started rendering
comprehensive services in civil,mechanical and electrical
fields after being merged with the Project Execution
Departtment of L & T. The seventies offered opportunities
overseas also and ECC now has its share of business in Abu
Dhabi , Iraq , Sri lanka,to mention a few examples.

In 1982 a decision was taken for business reasons to merge


ECC with L & T and government clearance was finally
obtained in March 1984 and the Company was renamed as
Larsen & Toubro Limited ,ECC group.Its head quarters are
located in Madras.Its regional office in
Bombay,Delhi,Chennai,and Kolkatta and the overseas group
located in Mumbai.
Thank you

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